20 Kitchen Tools That Professional Chefs Say Are Totally Useless

No one knows the importance of kitchen space better than professional chefs, and wasting money on unnecessary gadgets is a waste of precious resources. In an effort to declutter and streamline their kitchens, we asked top culinary pros about the tools they consider totally useless and which ones actually make the cut.

Mandolins: The Overrated Kitchen Tool

Chef Masaharu Morimoto shared his pick for the most overrated kitchen tool – the mandolin. He emphasizes the importance of mastering proper knife skills to achieve uniform, thin slices, rather than relying on a bulky and difficult-to-clean gadget.

"While it brings good slices, mastering proper knife skills gives you more control, precision and safety in the long run," Morimoto said. "Mandolins can be bulky, hard to clean and risky if you're not extremely careful. Relying too much on a mandolin or tools like a two-in-one apple cutter or a tomato corer can hold you back from developing real technique."

Instead of relying on a mandolin, Morimoto recommends investing in a high-quality 8-inch Japanese chef knife.

The Onion Goggles: A Waste of Money

Chef Eric Rowse advises against wasting money on onion goggles. He suggests cutting onions the old-fashioned way to prevent tears and sulfur compounds from getting into your eyes.

"A waste of money, as they don't form a great seal around the eyes to prevent the sulfur compounds from getting to your eyes and making you cry," Rowse said. "Keep your knife sharp and open a window or turn on a fan instead."

Scissors for Pizza Night

Chef Richard Ingraham shared his dislike for pizza scissors, saying they are gimmicky, awkward to clean and take up more space than they're worth.

"A pizza cutter or knife works better and faster. These scissors are unnecessary and clutter your kitchen," Ingraham said. "Instead of a pair of scissors, invest in a high-quality 8-inch chef knife that can slice through even the toughest dough."

The Plastic Disc for Spaghetti

Ingraham also panned the idea of using a plastic disc with holes to tell you how much spaghetti to cook.

"It's not worth the drawer space," Ingraham said. "Just eyeball it or learn the rough weight by experience. A kitchen scale is all you need for precise measurements."

The Oven Mitt: A Total Waste

Finally, there's a reason pro chefs don't use oven mitts – they're unnecessary and often unwashed.

"Oven mitts are the most useless item in a home kitchen! A sturdy kitchen towel does the same job, and odds are, it's more likely to be washed regularly. I don't know many people who wash their oven mitts frequently enough ... it seems many have deemed it an item that doesn't warrant regular cleaning."

Instead of relying on oven mitts, Ingraham recommends stocking a plethora of kitchen towels.

The List: 20 Kitchen Tools to Skip

1. Onion Goggles

Mandolins are overrated and can be bulky and hard to clean.

2. Onion Goggles

Cut onions the old-fashioned way to prevent tears and sulfur compounds from getting into your eyes.

3. Metal, Glass, Stone and Acrylic Cutting Boards

Wood is the best option for cutting and dicing; hard surfaces can damage knives.

4. Garlic Stripper

Smash garlic cloves with a chef knife instead of relying on a gadget that takes up space.

5. Pizza Scissors

A pizza cutter or knife works better and faster than scissors.

6. Electric Meat Probe

Instant read meat probes are great, but can be expensive and prone to breakage; a Bluetooth-free thermometer is a better option.

7. Manual Can Opener

A manual can opener is cheaper, works well, and takes up less space than an electric one.

8. Avocado Slicer

A good paring knife like this $35 Wusthof does the job just as easily as a specialized tool.

9. Egg Separator Tool

Separating eggs by hand isn't that difficult; skip the gadget and invest in a good paring knife instead.

10. Garlic Stripper

Roll garlic cloves with a silicone tube, but it's not worth the space or hassle; smash garlic with a chef knife instead.

11. Pizza Scissors

A pizza cutter or knife works better and faster than scissors; save your money and invest in a high-quality 8-inch chef knife.

12. Plastic Disc for Spaghetti

A kitchen scale is all you need for precise measurements; ditch the plastic disc and its unnecessary holes.

13. Oven Mitts

A sturdy kitchen towel does the same job as oven mitts, but it's more likely to be washed regularly; stock up on kitchen towels instead!

14. Electric Can Opener

A manual can opener is cheaper, works great and takes up less space than an electric one.

15. Two-in-One Apple Cutter

A good paring knife like this $35 Wusthof does the job just as easily as a specialized tool; save your money and invest in a high-quality 8-inch chef knife.

16. Instant Read Meat Probe with Bluetooth